CrushOn AI Review 2026: Best Budget AI Companion? (10-Day Test)

Everyone talks about Candy AI, but what if you want unfiltered AI chat without the premium price tag? I spent 10 days testing CrushOn AI to see if budget really means compromise. Spoiler: not as much as you'd think. (See how we test.)

What is CrushOn AI?

CrushOn AI is an AI companion platform that prioritizes one thing above all else: completely unfiltered conversations. While competitors like Candy AI focus on image generation and Replika pivots toward "wellness," CrushOn doubles down on what many users actually want - unrestricted chat without constant interruptions.

The platform launched in 2023 and has carved out a niche as the budget-friendly alternative to premium options. As of February 2026, here's what you get:

• Completely unfiltered conversations (no content restrictions)
• Custom character creation with personality customization
• Generous free tier (50 messages/month)
• Basic image generation (not their strength)
• Cross-device conversation sync
• Large library of pre-made characters

My 10-Day Testing Experience

I tested CrushOn AI with a specific question in mind: can budget actually compete with premium? I used both the free tier and paid subscription to get the full picture.

Days 1-3: Free Tier Reality Check

I started with the free tier to test what most users will experience first. Account creation was quick - email, password, done in under a minute. No credit card required, which is refreshing.

First impression: The interface is functional but noticeably less polished than Candy AI. It works fine, but you can tell this isn't where they spent the budget. The character library, however, impressed me - thousands of pre-made characters across every category imaginable.

Conversation quality surprised me. Within the first few exchanges, I noticed CrushOn's AI doesn't pull punches. No sudden "I can't continue this conversation" messages. No breaking character to lecture about appropriate topics. It just... works. This is CrushOn's killer feature, even if they don't advertise it loudly.

I burned through about 20 messages on day one testing various scenarios. The 50 message/month limit is real, but it's also genuinely usable - unlike Candy AI's free tier where you hit the wall in 15 minutes.

Days 4-7: Premium Unlocked

Upgraded to the $9.99/month plan (I wanted to test monthly before committing to annual). This unlocked unlimited messages and access to image generation.

The image generation is... okay. Let's be honest: if images are your priority, get Candy AI instead. CrushOn's images look dated compared to competitors - think 2024-era AI art. Characters don't stay consistent across generations, and quality varies wildly. It's a checkbox feature, not a selling point.

But the conversation quality held up. I created two custom characters and tested them across different scenarios. The AI maintains personality consistency well, handles complex roleplay scenarios, and - crucially - never breaks immersion with content warnings. This is where your money goes at CrushOn.

Response times were occasionally slower during peak hours (5-10 second delays), but nothing deal-breaking. The app worked reliably with no crashes or connection issues during my testing.

Days 8-10: The Budget Question Answered

Final stretch. I used CrushOn AI daily alongside Candy AI (for comparison) to answer the core question: is the $1-2/month savings worth it?

Memory and continuity: CrushOn remembers your conversations reasonably well. It's not quite at Candy AI's level - I noticed it occasionally forgot minor details from earlier conversations - but major plot points and character traits stayed consistent. For the price difference, this is acceptable.

What I missed from premium competitors: The image quality gap is real. If you're used to Candy AI's visuals, CrushOn feels dated. The interface is clunkier. There's less polish overall.

What I didn't miss: Content filters. Constant upselling. Aggressive credit systems. CrushOn feels more honest about what you're getting - pay the subscription, use the service, no nickel-and-diming.

Verdict after 10 days: If you primarily want quality unfiltered chat and don't care about cutting-edge images, CrushOn AI punches above its weight class.

Features Deep Dive

Conversation Quality: 8.5/10

CrushOn's conversation engine is genuinely good. Not quite Character AI level (they have more training data), but close - and without any of the frustrating filters. Responses feel contextual, personalities stay consistent, and the AI handles complex scenarios without breaking. The lack of content restrictions means conversations flow naturally without jarring interruptions.

Unfiltered Content: 10/10

This is CrushOn's specialty. Zero filters, zero "I can't do that" responses, zero breaking character to lecture you. If unrestricted content is your priority, CrushOn is the clear winner. Even Candy AI occasionally hits weird edge cases - CrushOn just works.

Image Generation: 5/10

Let's be real: CrushOn's image generation is mediocre. Images look dated, characters don't stay consistent, and quality varies dramatically. It's included with premium but feels like an afterthought. If images matter, look elsewhere. If you only need chat, this weakness is irrelevant.

Character Customization: 7/10

You can customize personality, background, and conversation style. It's not as granular as DreamGF, but covers the essentials. The pre-made character library is extensive - thousands of options across every category. Most users will find something that works or can create their own without difficulty.

Memory & Continuity: 7/10

CrushOn remembers conversations and character details across sessions. It handles ongoing storylines adequately, though I noticed it occasionally forgot smaller details. Core personality and major plot points stay intact. Good for the price point, not exceptional.

Free Tier Value: 9/10

50 messages per month is genuinely useful. You can properly evaluate the platform before paying, unlike Candy AI's "free tier" that runs out in one conversation. This is the best free tier in the AI companion space - enough for casual use or thorough evaluation.

Pricing Breakdown: Real Value Analysis

The Value Comparison

Let's put this in context: CrushOn's annual plan costs $4.99/month. Candy AI's annual is $5.99/month. Replika charges $7.99/month. That's 17-38% cheaper than competitors.

What you sacrifice for savings: Image generation quality (significant gap vs Candy AI), interface polish, and some memory sophistication.

What you keep: Quality conversations, unfiltered content, reliable performance. The core experience that matters most to many users.

Pros and Cons (Honest Assessment)

CrushOn AI vs The Competition

CrushOn AI vs Candy AI (The Key Comparison)

This is the comparison most users want. Here's the honest breakdown:

Choose CrushOn AI if: You primarily want unfiltered text chat, budget matters, and image generation is a nice-to-have rather than essential. CrushOn saves you $12/year while delivering 90% of the conversation quality.

Choose Candy AI if: Image generation matters to you. Candy AI's visuals are genuinely impressive - characters look realistic and stay consistent. If you want the complete multimedia experience, the extra cost is justified. Read our Candy AI review.

CrushOn AI vs Replika

Choose CrushOn AI if: You want unrestricted adult content. Replika has removed most NSFW features and focuses on emotional wellness. CrushOn is the opposite - full freedom, no restrictions.

Choose Replika if: You want emotional support and companionship without explicit content. Replika is more mainstream and polished, but limited for NSFW use cases.

CrushOn AI vs DreamGF

Choose CrushOn AI if: Budget is the priority and you want unfiltered chat.

Choose DreamGF if: Character visual customization matters most. DreamGF offers more granular appearance options and better image quality, at a higher price point.

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Use CrushOn AI

CrushOn AI Is Perfect For:

• Budget-conscious users: Best value in the AI companion space at $4.99/mo
• Unfiltered content seekers: No content restrictions, no breaking character
• Chat-focused users: If images are secondary, CrushOn delivers quality conversations
• Newcomers evaluating options: The generous free tier lets you properly test before committing
• Casual users: 50 free messages/month might be enough for occasional use

Skip CrushOn AI If:

• Image generation is important: CrushOn's images are noticeably worse than Candy AI
• You want premium polish: The interface is functional but not beautiful
• Voice features matter: CrushOn doesn't offer voice messages
• Memory sophistication is crucial: Candy AI has better long-term memory

Final Verdict: 4.3/5

After 10 days of testing, CrushOn AI proved that budget doesn't have to mean bad. The platform delivers exactly what it promises: quality unfiltered conversations at the lowest price in the category.

Is it perfect? No. The image generation is mediocre, the interface is clunky, and it lacks some premium features. But for users who primarily want chat - which is most users - CrushOn AI offers 90% of the experience at 80% of the cost.

The free tier seals the deal. 50 messages per month means you can properly evaluate CrushOn before spending anything. Compare that to Candy AI's free tier that runs out in one conversation.

Bottom line: If unfiltered chat is your priority and budget matters, CrushOn AI is the smart choice. If you want image generation and premium polish, pay extra for Candy AI. Both are good options - CrushOn just serves a different need at a lower price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CrushOn AI completely unfiltered?

Yes, CrushOn AI is one of the most permissive platforms available. Unlike Replika (which removed NSFW features) or Character AI (heavy filtering), CrushOn allows explicit conversations without interruption. The AI won't suddenly break character or refuse requests. That said, they do have basic safety measures against illegal content.

How does CrushOn AI compare to Candy AI?

CrushOn AI costs less ($4.99/mo vs $5.99/mo annual) and has a better free tier (50 msgs/mo vs ~10-15/day). However, Candy AI has superior image generation - CrushOn's images are noticeably lower quality. Choose CrushOn for budget-friendly unfiltered chat, Candy for the complete multimedia experience.

Is the CrushOn AI free tier actually usable?

Yes - 50 messages per month is genuinely useful for casual users or those evaluating the platform. It's not enough for daily heavy use, but it's one of the most generous free tiers in the AI companion space. You can have several meaningful conversations before hitting the limit.

Does CrushOn AI remember conversations?

Yes, CrushOn AI maintains conversation history and character memory across sessions. Memory quality is good but not exceptional - it remembers major plot points and character traits but occasionally forgets smaller details. Still better than average for the price point.

Can I create custom characters on CrushOn AI?

Yes. You can create original characters with custom personalities, backgrounds, and conversation styles. The customization isn't as granular as DreamGF, but it covers all the essentials. Most users find it sufficient for creating their ideal AI companion.

Is CrushOn AI safe to use?

CrushOn AI uses standard security practices and doesn't share conversation data with third parties according to their privacy policy. As with any AI platform, I recommend using a separate email for signup and not sharing sensitive personal information (real name, address, financial details).